Citrus spends $1.5 million annually on utility bills, with the highest percentage being electrical usage, reported by the Citrus College District Physical Resources Committee in their Oct. 22 meeting minutes.
With the constant use of power, the school wanted to implement renewable energy by constructing solar canopies.These canopies provide shade to cars as well as solar energy to the grid.
The minutes stated the cost of the structure would be $1,839,198, which would be paid back in a 15-year plan. Installation of these eight solar carports started in August 2019.
“I think this sets a really good example for other schools to follow in our area,” Citrus student Kristin Walker said.
Walker fully supported the campus going green when she realized these solar panels were being put in since she also has panels on her parents’ home.
“I know it might take the school a while to pay back the debt but if it ends up saving the school money in the long run, it will be good for our community,” Walker said.
Fred Diamond, Citrus College director of facilities and construction, stated in an email interview that these panels are now currently generating power despite being in the commissioning phase.
“The PV installation is continuing in the Commissioning Phase of project close-out.” Diamond said, “This means that the equipment is going through trials and testing, especially the technology portion of the work. We still have some tech issues to work out, but the equipment is putting power on the grid.”
Diamond said he worked closely with Southern California Edison to bring these solar panels to the Citrus campus.
It will end up benefiting the schools utility budget since SCE will be giving the college a much lower annual electricity bill from the production of energy.
The October meeting minutes also said that after this commissioning phase by the Division of the State Architect, the project should officially be complete and safe for whenever students are allowed back on campus.
